Enroll at DPS Community District

Call (313) 240-4377 for answers to enrollment questions.

Elementary/Middle Schools, including Kindergarten

Where to Enroll

For any traditional Elementary/Middle School, parents and guardians must apply in person and complete an enrollment form.

Residency

Detroit Public Schools Community District is a School of Choice District and may enroll out-of-district students through September 8, 2017.

Required Documents

  • DPSCD Enrollment Form
  • Child’s birth certificate
  • Proof of address (W-2, pay stub, public assistance documents, any official government mail, utility bills, driver’s license, etc.)
  • Immunization record
  • Transcripts or Report Cards
  • Parent/Guardian photo ID

Kindergarten Requirements

See Kindergarten requirements below

Transportation

Elementary/Middle School transportation is provided for students living beyond 3/4 of a mile from the student’s assigned neighborhood school.

Find my neighborhood school »

High Schools

Where to Enroll

For any traditional High School, parents and guardians must apply in person and complete an enrollment form.

Residency

Detroit Public Schools Community District is a School of Choice District and may enroll out-of-district students through September 8, 2017.

Required Documents

  • DPSCD Enrollment Form
  • Child’s birth certificate
  • Proof of address (W-2, pay stub, public assistance documents, any official government mail, utility bills, driver’s license, etc.)
  • Immunization record
  • Transcripts or Report Cards
  • Parent/Guardian photo ID

Transportation

Bus passes are provided for high school students living beyond 1.5 miles from the their assigned neighborhood school.

Find my neighborhood school »

Examination High Schools

Note: Testing date does not provide an advantage or disadvantage to admission consideration. Admission letters will be sent the week of March 26, 2018 after all testing dates have been completed.

Detroit Public Schools Community District offers enrollment in four premier High Schools in which an exam is required:

  • Cass Technical High School
  • Renaissance High School
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School
  • Southeastern High School

Who can Apply

8th grade students attending public and non-public schools are eligible to apply for the 9th grade class. Students may also apply for openings in grades 9–12.

Placement Exam Information

The Examination High School Placement Exam is a critical element of the Application Process. Every applicant must complete the Placement Exam for consideration to one of DPSCD’s Examination High Schools (Cass, King, Renaissance, Southeastern).

The Placement Exam will be administered to current DPSCD students at their local school. Students who are not currently enrolled in a DPSCD school will need to attend a Saturday Placement Exam session (dates, times and locations provided below).

Current DPSCD Students

Placement Exams will run to February 16, 2018 for current DPSCD students. All eighth graders will take the exam. The Placement Exam is administered at the local school during school hours.

The deadline for applications has been extended to Friday, February 16th.

Students not currently enrolled in DPSCD

  • Students must have a valid ID to take the Placement Exam
  • Non-DPSCD Students Placement Exam Locations: (Indicate location preference on application)
    • Renaissance High School
    • Cass Technical High School
    • King High School
    • Southeastern High School
  • Non-DPSCD Students Placement Exam Dates: (Indicate the testing date on the application)
    • Saturday, December 16, 2017 (application packet due 12/4/17)
    • Saturday, January 20, 2018 (application packet due 1/5/2018)
    • Saturday, February 3, 2018 (application packet due 1/15/18)
    • Saturday, February 10, 2018 (application packet due 1/22/18)
      Rescheduled: Please see note above.
    • Please see Summer Session below.

    • Please Note: Placement Exam location does not indicate the preferred school that student will be applying to, or guaranteed admission to that location of test administration.

  • Placement Exam Time (Indicate preference on Application)
    • 1st Session: 10:00am to 12:00pm
    • 2nd Session: 1:00pm to 3:00pm
    • 3rd Session: 10:00am to 3:00pm (Students with accommodations ONLY)
  • Non-DPSCD Placement Exam Summer Session (location TBD)
    • Saturday, July 14, 2018

    • Please Note: This session is only for students who are new to the Detroit Metro Area and are required to show proof of relocation and/or transfer.

Online Application Process

Online applications are no longer accepted.

Application Process: Email or Hard Copy

1. Get the Application

Download the Examination High School Application

OR

Pick up a hard copy of the application at your local library or at the Office of Assessment & Accountability (OAA), Support Services Complex, Building A, 1425 E. Warren Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48207. Enter at the OAA Parking & Building Entrance.

2. Complete application

Complete all required sections of the application, including the following required documents:

  • DPSCD Examination High School Application
  • Transcript or current report card
  • One letter of reference
  • Formal Letter of Student Interest wherein the student expresses the multiple reasons why they should be considered for admission to their school/s of choice. Letter should be authored by the student and should not exceed 500 words, Times New Roman, double spaced, and 12 point font. Letter will be considered official writing sample.

3. Submit application

  • Send your completed application, along with transcript or current report card, 1 letter of reference, and Student Letter of Interest to online.assessment@detroitk12.org.

    Or
  • Deliver hard copy application and supporting documents to Office of Assessment & Accountability (OAA), Support Services Complex, Building A, 1425 E. Warren Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48207. Enter at the OAA Parking & Building Entrance.

4. Placement Exam

All applicants will receive their Online Placement Exam testing date, location, and login information via email.

Instructions for the Student

How to Prepare to take the Placement Exam

  • Set aside at least two hours to complete the exam.
  • Prepare by taking online test preparations aligned to standardized testing (SAT, ACT or NWEA).
  • Practice test taking strategies prior to the exam to better prepare for a timed exam.

Taking the Placement Exam

  • All questions should be attempted. Be sure to use the blank sheets of paper provided to solve problems. Use the blank sheet of paper to track your work. Before proceeding to the next question confirm you have clicked the correct answer.
  • Be sure to answer the questions completely and avoid answers containing more than one possibility. You should feel confident enough about your answer to clearly state it. If you absolutely get stuck on a question, leave the question blank. Return to the that question once you have completed all questions in that section.
  • Do your own work. Remember, the goal is to help you place yourself into the correct high school courses and high school. If you do not do your own work, your results may not accurately reflect your placement level and you may enroll in a course that you are not ready for.
  • Placement exam results will be sent via the email provided on the application.

Results

  • Applicants will receive their DPSCD Examination High School acceptance letter the week of March 26, 2018.
  • Applicants testing on July 14, 2018, during the summer extended session will receive their DPSCD Examination High School acceptance letter the week of July 16, 2018.

Once the Placement Exam is complete, an email notification will be sent that includes the score that was achieved on the exam. The score will either indicate that the student has been accepted to one of their schools of choice, or that they have not been accepted. An official letter of acceptance will be sent from the DPSCD enrollment office with a copy provided to the school. Follow up contact will be made from the school to complete the enrollment process.

For students who have not been accepted to one of the Application Schools, DPSCD will work with the student and families to identify other DPSCD options based on program availability.

Exam Schools Application Scoring

Examination score 40
Transcript (GPA) 30
Writing Sample (letter of intent) 20
Letter of Recommendation 10
BONUS +10 DPSCD current students

Why Take the Placement Exam

If students do not apply for an exam school, then the high school placement test will still be used by high school counselors and administrative staff for student placement.

Scoring Process

Please note that the applicant will be reviewed on the basis of their high school placement score, GPA, letter of interest, and letter or recommendation. A rubric will be used by a team of reviewers that will analyze the application and provide a score.

Student Interest Survey

Students will also be given a survey at the end of the examination to share their areas of interest. This information will be used to further develop and improve programming throughout the district based on students’ interests.

Notification Date

Students who complete the application process will be notified of the outcome by the week of March 26, 2018.

Transportation

Not provided.

Learn More

For more information on DPSCD’s Curriculum go to High School Courses and Curriculum.

For more information on the DPSCD Placement Exam call (313) 576-0100 or email online.assessment@detroitk12.org

Application Schools

Where to Enroll

Detroit Public Schools CD has 18 schools that require an application for enrollment. DPSCD Application Schools include top-ranked schools, such as Bates Academy; innovative new programs such as the Mark Twain School for Scholars, a gifted and talented school in Southwest Detroit; and language immersion programs, such as those offered at Academy of the Americas and Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural Studies School. Other Application School options include specialty programs such as Davis Aerospace Technical High School, where students can learn to fly while taking a rigorous college preparatory curriculum; Dr. Benjamin Carson High School of Science and Medicine, which offers medical pathways; and Detroit School of Arts, the metro region’s premier performing arts and music high school.

Residency

Detroit Public Schools Community District is a School of Choice District and may enroll out-of-district students through September 8, 2017.

Required Documents for Enrollment

  • DPSCD Enrollment Form
  • Child’s birth certificate
  • Proof of address (W-2, pay stub, public assistance documents, any official government mail, utility bills, driver’s license, etc.)
  • Immunization record
  • Transcripts or Report Cards
  • Parent/Guardian photo ID

Transportation

Not provided, except where schools have a neighborhood component, such as Burton, Golightly Education Center and Ludington. Transportation requirements apply.

Application Process

Families seeking to apply for spots in these schools should apply immediately at the school site for the 2017–18 school year. Families must complete a DPSCD Common Application to be considered for the Application Schools. Each school has individual requirements, which may include a minimum GPA, aptitude test, essay or language exam.

The district is now using one application for its Applications schools.  Please note requirements on the Application for submission of report cards, test data, transcripts, essay and Grade Point Average information. Schools also may have other individual entry requirements listed below. Be prepared to provide behavior reports.

School Requirements

  • A. Philip Randolph — Application/2.0 minimum GPA
  • Academy of the Americas — Application/language proficiency assessment
  • Bates Academy — Application/3.2 minimum GPA requirement/assessment/letters of recommendation
    Bates Academy Letter of Recommendation Check List
  • Benjamin Carson High School of Science and Medicine — Application
  • Burton International Academy — Application
  • Chrysler Elementary — Application/ assessment/interview
  • Clippert Academy — Application/ 2.5 GPA/letters of recommendation
    Clippert Academy Magnet Middle School Letter of Recommendation Template
  • Communication and Media Arts — Application/ letters of recommendation
    CMA Letter of Recommendation Template
  • Davis Aerospace Technical High School — Application/ 2.5 GPA/ letters of recommendation
    Davis Aerospace Letter of Recommendation Template
  • Detroit International Academy for Young Women — Application/2.0 minimum GPA
  • Detroit School of Arts — Application/audition/2.5 GPA requirement/letters of recommendation
    Detroit School of Arts Application
  • Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural Studies School — Application /2.5 minimum GPA/ language assessment
  • Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men — Application/interview
  • Golightly Education Center — Application
  • Ludington Magnet Middle and Honors Academy — Application/ 2.5 GPA/Assessment/Interview
  • Marcus Garvey Academy — Application/ 2.5 GPA
  • Mark Twain School for Scholars — Application/ 3.0 GPA/Assessment
  • Robeson/Malcolm X Academy — Application

Early Childhood

Detroit Public Schools Community District Foundation for Early Learners provides a FREE high quality early learning experience for special needs and general education students 4 years old by September 1st or December 1st of the current school year, depending on the program.

The Early Childhood Programs are comprised of two prekindergarten programs:

  • Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)
  • Title I

Students selected for the Great Start Readiness Program must meet income guidelines. The selection process for Title I students are selected based on the needs of the school community.

Visit the Foundation for Early Learners website for more information  »

Where to Enroll

Parents can enroll at any DPSCD preschool site. Parents may also enroll at the Fleming Administrative Building during the summer located at 18501 Waltham Detroit, MI 48205.

Enroll online by emailing the completed application form to pre-k.enrollment@detroitk12.org

Forms

Contact

(313) 347-8923

Residency

Parents must live in Detroit for Title 1 sites. The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) in DPSCD enrolls students from Wayne County but does allow cross-county enrollment. To enroll, a parent would need to get a release from the child’s County Intermediate School District (ISD).

Age requirement

Students who will be 4 by September 1st or December 1st of the current school year, depending on the program.

Kindergarten Waiver Information

The State Legislature recently amended the Revised School Code (MCL § 380.1147), changing the enrollment age for kindergarten students. Beginning with the 2015-16 school year and moving forward, all students must be age 5 by September 1 of the current school year in order to enroll in kindergarten. However, if a student will be age 5 between September 2 and December 1 of the current school year and the parent notifies (completes a waiver) the district/PSA that they are enrolling their child in kindergarten and provides proof of age, they may enroll their child. This process will stay in place until there is a change in legislation.

Note: Parents with a child missing the “cut-off” are being offered the option of signing a waiver.

Parent Waiver Option

If the child is not eligible for enrollment per the guidelines specified above and will be five (5) years old by December 1st, the child’s parent or legal guardian can apply for a waiver to enroll their student in school.

  • When in receipt of a waiver, principals can make recommendations to the child's parent or legal guardian, as to the child's readiness for school, and whether or not the child should be emolled early.
  • Regardless of a district's recommendation, the parent or legal guardian retains the sole discretion to enroll their child.

Kindergarten Waiver Form

Required Documents

  • Original birth certificate
  • Current immunization record
  • Child’s Insurance card
  • Proof of income
  • Proof of Wayne County residency

PreK Sites

List of all PreK Locations »

Transportation

DPSCD does not provide transportation for Pre-K students. Parents provide transportation on their own.

Adult Education

Detroit Public Schools Community District Adult Education programs offer High School Completion, General Educational Development (GED), Adult Basic Education/Pre-GED, and English as a Second Language at 11 community sites and schools, including two main Adult Education campuses, throughout Detroit. Free classes are available for adult learners 18 years and up, giving them the opportunity to upgrade their academic skills, complete high school, and/or obtain a General Educational Development (GED). We also provide opportunities for students to receive GED preparation and additional tutorial assistance. Bus tickets are available. DPSCD’s main Adult Education Centers are located in two newly renovated facilities which include a new Welcome Center, Student Lounge, Media Centers and more than 200 new desktop computer learning stations.

Students are also provided vouchers to take the GED Test free of charge when they have completed the necessary requirements to qualify to test.

Where to Enroll

  • West Campus, 16164 Asbury Park, Detroit, MI 48235, (313) 852-1089
  • East Campus, 13840 Lappin Street, Detroit, MI 48205, (313) 579-7109

Students must be prepaid to take a pre-test in math and English. It may take up to two hours to take both tests.

Visit the Adult Education website for more details »

Contact

(313) 852-1089 or (313) 579-7109

When to Enroll

Open enrollment daily (no cut-off date)

Residency

Students do not need to be a Detroit resident.

Age Requirement

Must be at least 18 years ‎of age.

Required Documents

  • Drivers license
  • Social Security card

Cost

No cost to students

Transportation

Bus Tickets available upon request

IMPACT Program (Second Chance)

The IMPACT Program (formerly called Second Chance) is a credit recovery program for students 16-18 years of age who are at least one year behind in high school credits. Another opportunity for Detroit students to earn credits toward a high school diploma, students take courses on a fast-track schedule. They can capture credits every 10 weeks, which allows the students to move at a faster pace than traditional high schools.

The IMPACT Program meets Monday through Friday generally from 3:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. (Times may vary per school.) Students receive free meals, bus cards, and supplies. The program is offered at no cost. The IMPACT program is a good fit for students who work during the day and/or need an alternate and flexible learning environment.

Where to Enroll

Students who meet the criteria are strongly encouraged to register with their high school counselor.

Residency

Detroit Public Schools Community District is a School of Choice District and may enroll out-of-district students through September 8, 2017.

Age Requirements

16–18 years old

Required Documents

  • Original birth certificate
  • Current immunization record
  • Proof of income
  • Proof of Wayne County residency
  • Parent/Guardian photo ID, unless student is 18
  • High School Transcript

Cost

No cost to students

Sites

  • East English Village Preparatory Academy
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School
  • Western International High School
  • Osborn Evergreen
  • West Side Academy

Transportation

Bus cards provided

Career/Technical Education Centers

Detroit Public Schools Community District provides career and college options and opportunities at four (4) Career and Technical Center locations and six (6) High Schools.

These programs are dedicated to preparing students to gain entry level employment in a high skilled, high wage job and/or continued education. The exposure to the various careers, support procedures and hands on learning within these programs is designed with the optimum goal in mind, student success.

If student is out of district and wants to participate in a CTC program part-time in conjunction with their regular school day (in their home school and district), a parent/guardian must follow the ‘normal’ enrollment process. If the student is a DPSCD high school student, enrollment is handled through the high schools and parents do not need to do anything further.

Where to Enroll

Parents can enroll their student at their “home-high school” by contacting the counselor and requesting to be scheduled in the program. Some programs require the review of the student’s information as a part of the selection process by the receiving school’s staff.

Note: If a student is out of district and wants to participate in a CTC program part-time in conjunction with their regular school day (in their home school and district), a parent/guardian must follow the “normal” enrollment process.

Residency

Detroit Public Schools Community District is a School of Choice District and may enroll out-of-district students through September 8, 2017.

Age Requirements

10-12th grade

Sites

Programs and locations are as follows:

  • Breithaupt CTC – Cooking and Other Services, Cosmetology, Automotive Services Technology, Auto Body
  • Golightly CTC – Cooking and Related Culinary Services, Graphics Community, Public Safety, and Welding.
  • Davis (@ Golightly) – Aviation/Drone Technology
  • Randolph CTC – Business Administration, Construction Trades, Drafting / Design Technology
  • Crockett – Therapeutic Services

Schedule: Students spend half of their day at the Career and Technical Center and the other half of their day at their “home High School”

High School Sites

  • Cass – Business Administration, Computer Networking, Finance, Graphics Communication, Marketing, Mechanical Drafting
  • M. L. King – Business Administration and Finance
  • Renaissance – Finance
  • DSA – Radio and TV Broadcasting
  • Cody MCH – Public Safety (Firefighter/EMT)

Required Documents

  • Original birth certificate
  • Current immunization record
  • Proof of income
  • Proof of residency

Transportation

Transportation is provided by the “home” High School.

Montessori

In Fall 2017, Detroit Public Schools Community District is adding tuition free Montessori classrooms to three new sites, bringing the total to six schools offering this program.

Detroit Public Montessori Website • Montessori Flier

The Detroit Montessori pathway will make Montessori’s time-tested, state-recognized instructional approach accessible to more families in Detroit, and provide a rigorous, child-centered program. Creating new educational options for Detroit parents who want an alternative learning environment that facilitates opportunities for students to explore, build, negotiate, and create, and to bring Montessori’s rich tradition of raising student success to Detroit families, without tuition fees.

Sites

Registration

Parents/Guardians should complete a cover letter and application for their children to be enrolled in a Detroit Public Montessori classroom. Birth Certificate, Immunization Record, Health Appraisal, and Proof of residency documents are necessary to complete enrollment process.

Email completed cover letter and application to detroit.publicmontessori­@detroitk12.org with all necessary supporting documentation.

Contact

For more information, please call (313) 240-4377 or visit the Detroit Public Montessori Website.

Non-Resident Students

Detroit Public Schools may now enroll non-resident students* for the 2016-2017 school year under Section 105 and Section 105c of the State School Aid Act (MCL 388.1705c[19]). Enrollment is open to students in grades K-12 now through Friday, September 9, 2016. Parents/guardians can go to the schools directly to enroll their child/children. Please be sure to have your child’s/children’s:  original birth certificate, immunization record, and all official transcript records at the time of enrollment. Please note there are additional considerations that must be met for our exam and application schools.

*There is no cost for School of Choice students; no transportation is provided for Schools of Choice students; and Detroit Public schools may refuse to enroll a non-resident student that is or has been suspended during the past two years or has been expelled.

Highland Park students

Contact

All 8th grade students from Highland Park are encouraged to call Detroit Collegiate Preparatory Academy at Northwestern for enrollment.

Phone: (313) 899-7370

Detroit Collegiate Preparatory Academy at Northwestern Overview

Refugee Status or New Immigrant Students

Where to Enroll

Parents and guardians must apply in person and complete an enrollment form.

Note: Special ESL classes offered at a school are NOT required to enroll a refugee or immigrant. Schools must not deny enrollment, as long as proper documentation is provided. Contact the Office of English Learners for assistance with placement.

Residency

Detroit Public Schools is a School of Choice District and may enroll out-of-district students through September 9, 2016.

Transportation

Same guidelines for a general education student unless they have an IEP to state something different.

Required Documents

  • Child’s birth certificate (however, the child may not have one due to circumstances)
  • Passport or U.S Government issued I.D
  • Proof of address (W-2, pay stub, public assistance documents, any official government mail, utility bills, driver’s license, etc.)
  • Immunization record
  • Transcripts or Report Cards, some may not have had access to an education/school at all so they won’t have any. Enroll and contact the Office of English Learners.
  • Parent/Guardian photo ID

Contact

Contact the Office of English Learners for assistance with placement.

Out-of-District / School of Choice Students

The Detroit Public Schools Community District may enroll non-resident students for state funding only during certain enrollment windows under §105 and §105c of the State School Aid Act (MCL 388.1705c[19]) for 2016–2017.

Out-of-District Enrollment Window Dates

First Semester *

Detroit Public Schools Community Disctrict will be enrolling non-resident students for the first semester of the 2016-2017 School Year beginning on April 1, 2016. The Schools of Choice window to enroll will close for the first semester on Friday, September 9, 2016.

Second Semester *

Detroit Public Schools Community District will be enrolling non-resident students for the second semester of the 2016-2017 School Year beginning January 9, 2017. The Schools of Choice window to enroll will close for the second semester on Friday, January 20, 2017.

* For a non-resident student who would like to enroll in a Detroit Public School Community District outside the window dates to enroll, please note that we must have a signed tuition release form from the District of Residence in order to enroll the student.

Please be advised there are additional considerations for enrollment for our Exam and Application schools.

Bilingual / English Learner Students

For students who are bilingual / English learner that has indicated another language spoken at home that is not English

Residency

Detroit Public Schools is a School of Choice District and may enroll out-of-district students through September 9, 2016.

Transportation

Same guidelines for a general education student unless they have an IEP to state something different.

Required Documents

  • Child’s birth certificate (however, the child may not have one due to circumstances) or Passport or U.S Government issued I.D,
  • Proof of address (W-2, pay stub, public assistance documents, any official government mail, utility bills, driver’s license, etc.)
  • Immunization record
  • Transcripts or Report Cards: Note: some may not have had access to an education/school at all so they won’t have any. Enroll and contact the Office of English Learners.
  • Parent/Guardian photo ID

Note

  1. Special ESL classes offered at a school are NOT required to enroll a refugee or immigrant. Schools must not deny enrollment, as long as proper documentation is provided. Contact the Office of English Learners for assistance with placement.
  2. Give name to your testing coordinator to set up mandatory W-APT test for language level.

Contact

Contact the Office of English Learners if you need assistance with placement

Phone: (313) 873-4020
Email: Norma Hernandez

Enrollment for Homeless Children

In compliance with federal law, it is the policy of DPSCD to provide a free, appropriate education for all children as defined in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Homeless children and youth must be given full opportunity to meet state and local academic achievement standards. The Detroit Public Schools CD will ensure that homeless children and youth are free from discrimination, segregation and harassment because of their homeless status.

More information about the McKinney-Vento Homeless Program »

Definition of the Term “Homeless Children and Youth”

The term “homeless children and youth” is defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act as:

  • Children who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.
  • Children and youth who are sharing the housing of others, with or without their parents, due to loss of housing (doubled up).
  • Children living in motels or hotels or trailer home due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations.
  • Children living in emergency or transitional shelters.
  • Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
  • Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.
  • Unaccompanied youth includes youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.
  • Migratory children and youth who are living in a situation described above.
  • Children Awaiting Foster Care (prior to December 2016)

Identification

In collaboration with school personnel and community organizations, the DPSCD Homeless liaison and DPSCD Homeless staff identify homeless children and youth in the district. The DPSCD Homeless Unit, consisting of the DPSCD Homeless liaison and staff, train school personnel on The McKinney-Vento Act; available resources; indicators of homelessness; sensitivity in identifying homeless families and youth; and procedures for forwarding information indicating homelessness to the local liaison.

Attendance Agents and Social Workers assist with the verification and identification of students who may meet the requirements of a “Homeless Child or Youth”.

Definitions

School of origin
The school that the child or youth attended when permanently housed or the school in which the child or youth was last enrolled.
Enrollment
Attending classes and participating fully in school activities.

Enrollment

The School District cannot delay or deny enrollment of a homeless student. Schools must immediately enroll students in homeless situations, even if they do not have required uniforms or documents, such as: school records, birth certificates, immunization records, medical records, proof of residency, or other documents. Unaccompanied youth must also be enrolled immediately in school. Unaccompanied youth may either enroll themselves or be enrolled by a non-parent caretaker, older sibling, or DPSCD Homeless Unit member. Students are able to enroll and attend classes while the school arranges for the transfer of school and immunization records or any other documents required for enrollment.

Transportation

Homeless students have the right to receive transportation to and from their school of origin or the school closest to where they are currently living, if requested. The request may come from the parent, guardian, youth, or DPSCD staff. If the student’s temporary residence is outside of the Detroit Public School District the new district and DPSCD will determine how to divide the responsibility and cost of providing transportation. Transportation services will be comparable to those provided to other students.

Coordination

The DPSCD Homeless Unit will coordinate with and seek support from the State Coordinator for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth; public and private service providers in the community; housing and placement agencies; the pupil transportation department; neighboring local liaisons; and other organizations and agencies. Coordination will include conducting outreach and training to those agencies participating in the local continuum of care, homeless coalition, homeless steering committee, and other relevant groups.

Students Rights

  • Attend school, no matter where they live or how long they have lived there.
  • Continue in the school in which they last attended before they became homeless.
  • Participate in school programs and services with non-homeless students, including receiving tutoring, remedial assistance, head Start, State pre-K, special education, gifted, and Title I programs.
  • Automatic eligibility for free meals.
  • To not be isolated or stigmatized because of their homeless status.
  • Be enrolled in school without the assistance of a parent or guardian.
  • Free and public education to until they have reached their high school graduation or equivalent, or their 26th birthday in special education.

Parents Rights

  • To choose which non-application school the child will attend (either the school of origin or the school nearest their current address, whichever is in the best interest of the child).
  • To appeal if a school refuses to admit a child or a school refuses to keep a child enrolled.
  • To a written explanation from the school regarding enrollment disputes.
  • To seek assistance of liaisons, advocates or attorneys.
  • To receive tutoring or remedial assistance for their children.

Dispute Resolution

See Detroit Public Schools Community District: Education of Homeless Children and Youth Dispute Resolution Procedure.

Services Provided to Homeless Children and Youth

The Detroit Public Schools will assist each homeless child or youth in accessing services afforded to other students, including the following:

  • School Social Work Services
  • Educational services for which the child or youth meets the eligibility criteria, such as Title I services or similar state or local programs, educational programs for children with disabilities, and educational programs for students with limited English proficiency.
  • Head Start
  • Programs in Vocational and Technical education
  • Programs for gifted and talented students
  • School nutrition programs
  • Before school and after school programs
  • Tutoring programs
  • Referrals for medical and mental health services
  • Pre-school programs
  • Parent education
  • Counseling

Contact

For assistance please contact:

George Eason
Program Supervisor-Homeless Liaison

Phone: (313) 748-6388
Email: george.eason@detroitk12.org

Special Needs

Where to Enroll

Parents can enroll children with Special Needs at the Office of Specialized Student Services – Placement and Compliance Office located inside the Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men @ 2001 West Warren – South Wing/Room 168 - Detroit, MI 48202.

Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Residency

Detroit Public Schools Community District is a School of Choice District and may enroll out-of-district students through September 8, 2017.

Age requirements

3 – 26 years old

Required Documents

  • Current special education documentation: Individualized Education Program Team Report (IEP), M.E.T. and R.E.E.D.
  • Current photo identification (i.e. driver’s license/state identification)
  • Student’s Birth certificate
  • If you are NOT the parent of the child you are enrolling – we require: Foster, Guardianship or Adoption paperwork
  • Proof of address (i.e. driver’s license/state identification, any official government mail, utility bills etc.)
  • If living with someone – a notarized letter is required
  • Current Immunization record, report cards/transcripts (must be provided to school)

Transportation

Transportation is provided for students based on the student's IEP in the form of a bus or cab.

Alternative Sites

Enrollment may be completed at the child’s neighborhood school if the student is transferring from one DPSCD school to another and…

  1. The student has a current IEP from Detroit Public Schools which indicates a Resource placement.

    OR

  2. If the student has a current IEP from Detroit Public Schools which only indicates supporting services (i.e. Speech, Social Work, Physical/ Occupational Therapy services) and no primary placement.

Students with IEPs from out of state, out of district, from Charter or EAA schools must come to the Placement Office for placement.

Alternative Program

Detroit Public Schools Community District provides alternative educational programming at one (1) middle school and one (1) high school.

Detroit Lions Academy offers an alternative education program for students in grades 6-8, providing a comprehensive learning experience in preparation for high school by providing additional academic and social support within a small learning community.

West Side Academy of Information Technology strives for academic excellence by providing students with multiple opportunities to accelerate learning through a personally-customized curriculum design and utilizing a credit recovery program that offers online courses with tutorial support in conjunction with traditional courses.

Where to Enroll

Parents can enroll by attending mandatory Orientation/Registration Sessions at the following locations:

Detroit Lions Academy – Grades 6-8
10101 E. Canfield
(313) 852-9677

West Side Academy of Information Technology and Cyber Security Grades 9-12
4701 McKinley
(313) 456-8000

Residency

Detroit Public Schools Community District is a School of Choice District and may enroll out-of-district students through September 8, 2017.

Transportation

Bus passes are provided for students living beyond 1.5 miles from the student's assigned neighborhood school.

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Age Requirement

Detroit Lions Academy Ages 12–17

West Side Academy of Information Technology and Cyber Security Ages 14–20

Required Documents

  • Original birth certificate
  • Current immunization record
  • Proof of Wayne County residency
  • Transcripts or Report Cards
  • Parent/Guardian photo ID